Durga Saptashati Chapter 7: The Slaying of Chanda and Munda
The Durga Saptashati, also known as the Devi Mahatmya and the Chandi Path, is a sacred Hindu text of 700 verses in 13 chapters that celebrates the glory of Goddess Durga. The seventh chapter describes the slaying of Chanda and Munda.
Saptamo'dhyaya (॥ सप्तमोऽध्यायः ॥)
Dhyanam (॥ ध्यानम् ॥)
ॐ ध्यायेयं रत्नपीठे शुककलपठितं शृण्वतीं श्यामलाङ्गीं न्यस्तैकाङ्घ्रिं सरोजे शशिशकलधरां वल्लकीं वादयन्तीम्। कह्लाराबद्धमालां नियमितविलसच्चोलिकां रक्तवस्त्रां मातङ्गीं शङ्खपात्रां मधुरमधुमदां चित्रकोद्भासिभालाम्॥
Om Dhyayeyam Ratnapithe Shuka-Kala-Pathitam Shrinvatim Shyamalangim Nyastaikanghrim Saroje Shashi-Shakala-Dharam Vallakim Vadayantim | Kahlara-Baddha-Malam Niyamita-Vilasach Cholikam Raktavastram Matangim Shankha-Patram Madhura-Madhu-Madam Chitrakodbhasi-Bhalam ||
Meaning: I meditate on Goddess Matangi, whose body is dark in complexion and who is seated on a throne made of jewels. She rests one foot on a lotus, wears the moon on her head and plays the veena. A garland of flowers is around her neck; she wears red garments and holds a conch and a vessel in her hands. A beautiful tilaka shines on her forehead, and she is graced with a gentle, sweet disposition.
Verses
Rishir Uvacha
Verse 1
"ॐ" ऋषिरुवाच॥1॥
"Om" Rishiruvacha || 1 ||
Meaning: The sage says:
Verse 2
आज्ञप्तास्ते ततो दैत्याश्चण्डमुण्डपुरोगमाः। चतुरङ्गबलोपेता ययुरभ्युद्यतायुधाः॥2॥
Ajnaptaste Tato Daityash Chanda-Munda-Purogamah | Chaturanga-Balopeta Yayur Abhyudyatayudhah || 2 ||
Meaning: On Shumbha’s orders, the army of the asuras, led by Chanda and Munda and equipped with all four divisions of an army, took up their weapons and marched towards the Goddess.
Verse 3
ददृशुस्ते ततो देवीमीषद्धासां व्यवस्थिताम्। सिंहस्योपरि शैलेन्द्रशृङ्गे महति काञ्चने॥3॥
Dadrishuste Tato Devim Ishaddhasam Vyavasthitam | Simhasyopari Shailendra-Shringe Mahati Kanchane || 3 ||
Meaning: They saw the Goddess, with a gentle smile, seated upon her lion on a vast mountain peak that gleamed like gold.
Verse 4
ते दृष्ट्वा तां समादातुमुद्यमं चक्रुरुद्यताः। आकृष्टचापासिधरास्तथान्ये तत्समीपगाः॥4॥
Te Drishtva Tam Samadatum Udyamam Chakrur Udyatah | Akrishta-Chapasi-Dharas Tathanye Tatsamipagah || 4 ||
Meaning: The asuras began to advance to seize the Goddess. Some drew their bows and some raised their swords.
Verse 5
ततः कोपं चकारोच्चैरम्बिका तानरीन् प्रति। कोपेन चास्या वदनं मषी*वर्णमभूत्तदा॥5॥
Tatah Kopam Chakarochchair Ambika Tanarin Prati | Kopena Chasya Vadanam Mashi-Varnam Abhut Tada || 5 ||
Meaning: Seeing the asuras advancing towards her, Goddess Ambika became very angry. Because of her anger, her face at that moment turned as dark as kohl.
Verse 6
भ्रुकुटीकुटिलात्तस्या ललाटफलकाद्द्रुतम्। काली करालवदना विनिष्क्रान्तासिपाशिनी॥6॥
Bhrukuti-Kutilat Tasya Lalata-Phalakad Drutam | Kali Karalavadana Vinishkrantasi-Pashini || 6 ||
Meaning: From between her knitted brows, from her forehead, there at once emerged the Goddess Kali. Her face was terrifying, and she held a sword and a noose in her hands.
Verse 7
विचित्रखट्वाङ्गधरा नरमालाविभूषणा। द्वीपिचर्मपरीधाना शुष्कमांसातिभैरवा॥7॥
Vichitra-Khatvanga-Dhara Naramala-Vibhushana | Dvipicharma-Paridhana Shushka-Mamsati-Bhairava || 7 ||
Meaning: She carried a khatvanga (a skull-topped staff), wore a garland of human heads around her neck and was clothed in a tiger skin. Her gaunt body looked terrifying.
Verse 8
अतिविस्तारवदना जिह्वाललनभीषणा। निमग्नारक्तनयना नादापूरितदिङ्मुखा॥8॥
Ativistara-Vadana Jihva-Lalana-Bhishana | Nimagna-Rakta-Nayana Nada-Purita-Dinmukha || 8 ||
Meaning: Her mouth was huge, her lolling tongue was frightful, and her red eyes looked sunken. All the directions echoed with her terrible roar.
Verse 9
सा वेगेनाभिपतिता घातयन्ती महासुरान्। सैन्ये तत्र सुरारीणामभक्षयत तद्बलम्॥9॥
Sa Vegenabhipatita Ghatayanti Mahasuran | Sainye Tatra Surarinam Abhakshayata Tadbalam || 9 ||
Meaning: That Goddess Kali swiftly fell upon the army of the asuras. She began to kill many great asuras and to destroy their army.
Verse 10
पार्ष्णिग्राहाङ्कुशग्राहियोधघण्टासमन्वितान्। समादायैकहस्तेन मुखे चिक्षेप वारणान्॥10॥
Parshnigrahankusha-Grahi-Yodha-Ghanta-Samanvitan | Samadayaika-Hastena Mukhe Chikshepa Varanan || 10 ||
Meaning: With one hand she seized the elephants, together with their mahouts, the warriors bearing goads and the bells that adorned them, and thrust them into her mouth.
Verse 11
तथैव योधं तुरगै रथं सारथिना सह। निक्षिप्य वक्त्रे दशनैश्चर्वयन्त्य*तिभैरवम्॥11॥
Tathaiva Yodham Turagai Ratham Sarathina Saha | Nikshipya Vaktre Dashanaish Charvayanty Atibhairavam || 11 ||
Meaning: In the same way she thrust warriors together with their horses, and chariots together with their charioteers, into her mouth and crushed them with her teeth.
Verse 12
एकं जग्राह केशेषु ग्रीवायामथ चापरम्। पादेनाक्रम्य चैवान्यमुरसान्यमपोथयत्॥12॥
Ekam Jagraha Kesheshu Grivayamatha Chaparam | Padenakramya Chaivanyam Urasanyam Apothayat || 12 ||
Meaning: She seized one asura by the hair and another by the neck. One she crushed underfoot and another she killed by pressing him against her chest.
Verse 13
तैर्मुक्तानि च शस्त्राणि महास्त्राणि तथासुरैः। मुखेन जग्राह रुषा दशनैर्मथितान्यपि॥13॥
Tairmuktani Cha Shastrani Mahastrani Tathasuraih | Mukhena Jagraha Rusha Dashanair Mathitany Api || 13 ||
Meaning: The weapons and great missiles that the asuras hurled at the Goddess she angrily caught in her mouth and destroyed with her teeth.
Verse 14
बलिनां तद् बलं सर्वमसुराणां दुरात्मनाम्। ममर्दाभक्षयच्चान्यानन्यांश्चाताडयत्तथा॥14॥
Balinam Tad Balam Sarvam Asuranam Duratmanam | Mamardabhakshayach Chanyan Anyamsh Chatadayat Tatha || 14 ||
Meaning: Goddess Kali crushed the whole army of those wicked and mighty asuras. Some she devoured and some she killed with her blows.
Verse 15
असिना निहताः केचित्केचित्खट्वाङ्गताडिताः।* जग्मुर्विनाशमसुरा दन्ताग्राभिहतास्तथा॥15॥
Asina Nihatah Kechit Kechit Khatvanga-Taditah | Jagmur Vinasham Asura Dantagrabhihatas Tatha || 15 ||
Meaning: Some asuras were killed by the sword, some by blows of the khatvanga and some by the Goddess’s teeth. In this way the destruction of the asuras went on.
Verse 16
क्षणेन तद् बलं सर्वमसुराणां निपातितम्। दृष्ट्वा चण्डोऽभिदुद्राव तां कालीमतिभीषणाम्॥16॥
Kshanena Tad Balam Sarvam Asuranam Nipatitam | Drishtva Chando'bhidudrava Tam Kalim Atibhishanam || 16 ||
Meaning: In a short time, Goddess Kali put an end to the whole army of the asuras. Seeing this, Chanda rushed to attack that most terrifying Goddess Kali.
Verse 17
शरवर्षैर्महाभीमैर्भीमाक्षीं तां महासुरः। छादयामास चक्रैश्च मुण्डः क्षिप्तैः सहस्रशः॥17॥
Shara-Varshair Mahabhimair Bhimakshim Tam Mahasurah | Chhadayamasa Chakraishcha Mundah Kshiptaih Sahasrashah || 17 ||
Meaning: Chanda covered the Goddess with a shower of terrible arrows. Munda too hurled thousands of discuses at her.
Verse 18
तानि चक्राण्यनेकानि विशमानानि तन्मुखम्। बभुर्यथार्कबिम्बानि सुबहूनि घनोदरम्॥18॥
Tani Chakrany Anekani Vishamanani Tanmukham | Babhur Yatharka-Bimbani Subahuni Ghanodaram || 18 ||
Meaning: Those many discuses, entering the Goddess’s mouth, looked like countless suns shining in the midst of dense clouds.
Verse 19
ततो जहासातिरुषा भीमं भैरवनादिनी। कालीकरालवक्त्रान्तर्दुर्दर्शदशनोज्ज्वला॥19॥
Tato Jahasatirusha Bhimam Bhairava-Nadini | Kali-Karala-Vaktrantar-Durdarsha-Dashanojjvala || 19 ||
Meaning: Then Goddess Kali, of the terrible roar, laughed in great fury. Her terrible mouth and her huge, gleaming teeth looked even more frightening.
Verse 20
उत्थाय च महासिंहं देवी चण्डमधावत। गृहीत्वा चास्य केशेषु शिरस्तेनासिनाच्छिनत्॥20॥*
Utthaya Cha Mahasimham Devi Chandam Adhavata | Grihitva Chasya Kesheshu Shiras Tenasinach Chhinat || 20 ||
Meaning: The Goddess at once rose up upon her lion and rushed towards Chanda. Seizing Chanda by the hair, she cut off his head with her sword.
Verse 21
अथ मुण्डोऽभ्यधावत्तां दृष्ट्वा चण्डं निपातितम्। तमप्यपातयद्भूमौ सा खड्गाभिहतं रुषा॥21॥
Atha Mundo'bhyadhavat Tam Drishtva Chandam Nipatitam | Tam Apy Apatayad Bhumau Sa Khadgabhihatam Rusha || 21 ||
Meaning: Seeing Chanda slain, Munda rushed at the Goddess. In her fury, the Goddess struck Munda down to the ground with a blow of her sword and killed him too.
Verse 22
हतशेषं ततः सैन्यं दृष्ट्वा चण्डं निपातितम्। मुण्डं च सुमहावीर्यं दिशो भेजे भयातुरम्॥22॥
Hatashesham Tatah Sainyam Drishtva Chandam Nipatitam | Mundam Cha Sumahaviryam Disho Bheje Bhayaturam || 22 ||
Meaning: When Chanda and the mighty Munda had been slain, the remaining army of the asuras fled in terror in all four directions.
Verse 23
शिरश्चण्डस्य काली च गृहीत्वा मुण्डमेव च। प्राह प्रचण्डाट्टहासमिश्रमभ्येत्य चण्डिकाम्॥23॥
Shirash Chandasya Kali Cha Grihitva Mundameva Cha | Praha Prachandattahasa-Mishram Abhyetya Chandikam || 23 ||
Meaning: Taking the heads of both Chanda and Munda, Goddess Kali went to Goddess Chandika and, laughing loudly, spoke to her.
Verse 24
मया तवात्रोपहृतौ चण्डमुण्डौ महापशू। युद्धयज्ञे स्वयं शुम्भं निशुम्भं च हनिष्यसि॥24॥
Maya Tavatropahritau Chandamundau Mahapashu | Yuddhayajne Svayam Shumbham Nishumbham Cha Hanishyasi || 24 ||
Meaning: Goddess Kali said: “I have brought you the heads of the great asuras Chanda and Munda. Now, in this sacrifice of battle, you yourself shall slay Shumbha and Nishumbha.”
Rishir Uvacha
Verse 25
ऋषिरुवाच॥25॥
Rishiruvacha || 25 ||
Meaning: The sage says:
Verse 26
तावानीतौ ततो दृष्ट्वा चण्डमुण्डौ महासुरौ। उवाच कालीं कल्याणी ललितं चण्डिका वचः॥26॥
Tavanitau Tato Drishtva Chandamundau Mahasurau | Uvacha Kalim Kalyani Lalitam Chandika Vachah || 26 ||
Meaning: Seeing the heads of Chanda and Munda, the auspicious Goddess Chandika spoke to Goddess Kali in a sweet voice:
Verse 27
यस्माच्चण्डं च मुण्डं च गृहीत्वा त्वमुपागता। चामुण्डेति ततो लोके ख्याता देवि भविष्यसि॥ॐ॥27॥
Yasmach Chandam Cha Mundam Cha Grihitva Tvamupagata | Chamundeti Tato Loke Khyata Devi Bhavishyasi || Om || 27 ||
Meaning: “O Goddess! Because you have slain both Chanda and Munda and brought their heads to me, you shall be famous in the world by the name ‘Chamunda’.”
Conclusion
॥ इति श्रीमार्कण्डेयपुराणे सावर्णिके मन्वन्तरे देवीमाहात्म्ये चण्डमुण्डवधो नाम सप्तमोऽध्यायः॥7॥
|| Iti Shri-Markandeya-Purane Savarnike Manvantare Devimahatmye Chanda-Munda-Vadho Nama Saptamo'dhyayah || 7 ||
Meaning: Thus ends the seventh chapter, named ‘The Slaying of Chanda and Munda’, in the Devi Mahatmya, within the account of the Savarnika manvantara in the Shri Markandeya Purana. ॥7॥
